The Cure For The Common Life
I’m reading a book right now called “The Cure For The Common Life” by Max Lucado.
Here is the author’s Bio :
Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as Teaching Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America’s bestselling inspirational author with more than 145 million products in print.
(Visit his website at MaxLucado.com) Here is a quote from the book……
“Ever swung a baseball bat or paddled a Ping-Pong ball? If so, you know the oh-so-nice feel of the sweet spot. Life in the sweet spot rolls like the downhill side of a downwind bike ride. But you don't have to swing a bat or a club to know this. What engineers give sports equipment, God gave you. A zone, a region, a life precinct in which you were made to dwell. He tailored the curves of your life to fit an empty space in his jigsaw puzzle. And life makes sweet sense when you find your spot.
But if you're like 70 percent of working adults, you haven't found it. You don't find meaning in your work, or you don't believe your talents are used. What can you do? You're suffering from the common life, and you desperately need a cure.”
I’ve been thinking a lot about the thoughts in Max Lucado’s book and one of the facts that was surprising to me was that 70% of people are dissatisfied in their jobs. That’s a HUGE number.
I think many of us as children had an idea what our ‘sweet spot’ was back then. What were we good at? Were we good at sports? At leading? At having an interest in animals or plants? Were we drawn to the stars…. or to creating perhaps?
Max goes on to illustrate that some parents say things like, “ Your great grandfather was a farmer, your grandfather was a farmer, I, your dad, am in farming, and now YOU will carry on the legacy of being a farmer.” But perhaps you wanted…. to go to University to become a lawyer.
But with God it’s different. He has given each of us unique talents and he wants us to develop them. Not necessarily the gifts that our parents have but our very own talents.
Have you listened to that ‘still small voice’ that perhaps says, “ I know I’m good at ….baking.” Perhaps I can bring baked goods to my neighbours who are shut in with Covid. ( For one example)
Take time today to stop. Sit in the quiet and contemplate your ‘sweet spot’ gift or gifts. Are you using any of them? Do you know what they are?
Every single person on the planet is a unique creation of God and we all are here for a purpose. It doesn’t have to be a huge, saving the world thing, but you know you are drawn to something that you enjoy. And although it’s the very rare person who has the ability to quit their job and follow their dreams, we can still think about what makes us happy and that might very well be what we are meant to be doing ….as well.
Do you …knit? Knit a scarf for a friend! Do you …run? Raise money for a good cause! Do you…pray? Pray for others every day!
I am hopeful that I am using my gifts well. I am happy to enjoy writing music ( I just wrote a new song!) and singing, playing guitar, and art. I also enjoy writing this blog.
You are amazing friends. I’m so happy to know such incredible people and I hope YOU know how incredible you are.
Let’s look for the sweet spot…. and I don’t mean the fridge!!!!! ha ha ha
